Salvation Army to discuss advisory council for county

The Salvation Army of Osceola County at noon today will have a Lunch and Learn event at its Kissimmee Salvation Army site, 2647 Michigan Ave., to discuss with community leaders the development of an advisory council for the agency.

“Our services to Osceola County are continuing to grow and we are in need of community leaders to join with us as our ‘Loaned Executives’ to offer us advice and support as we continue to grow and strive to meet more and more of the needs of the citizens in our fair county,” stated Glenn D. Fite Jr., spokesman for the The Salvation Army-Orlando Area Command.

Captains Felix and Irna Padilla, the leaders of The Salvation Army in Kissimmee, will lead the lunch event.

“Lunch will be served and we would like to share the mission of The Salvation Army, our services to residents of our county, our opportunities for growth, and the responsibilities of our Advisory Council,” Fite stated.

If you are a community leader, RSVP your attendance by contacting Kyle Melodie McNeil by e-mail at kyle_mcneil@uss.salvationarmy.org, or by phone at 407-423-8581, Ext. 252.

Supports governor’s action on septic tanks

Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, applauded Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to allow Senate Bill 2A to become law.

Gardiner, who is part of the Osceola County legislative delegation, in a press release said the governor’s action postpones the implementation of septic tank inspection regulations, enabling lawmakers to analyze whether such a mandate is necessary.

“With SB 2A in effect, the implementation of the statewide septic tank inspection requirement is delayed from Jan. 1, to July 1, 2011. This provides us with time to thoroughly vet options and gain feedback from constituents in order to make the most well-informed decisions,” Gardiner said.

No Lynx ID, no discounts

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, or Lynx, board of directors has adopted a policy requiring all passengers using discounted fares to show Lynx issued identification.

The new policy, intended to reduce fare abuse, will become effective April 24.

When boarding the bus, passengers using a discounted fare must show the operator the Lynx-issued identification. If the passenger does not display this identification, then he or she must pay the full fare.

Additionally, the policy also will now require all youths 10 and older to carry the Lynx identification. Riders age 6 and under will still ride for free when traveling with a full-fare paying adult.

The policy is expected to add more control and reduce the chance of fraud for riders using AdvantAge and Youth fares, agency officials stated in a press release.

Riders eligible for discount fares can obtain an identification starting Monday. Customer Service will be set up in the Lynx Central Station terminal lobby Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those wishing to obtain a youth identification card (ages 10-18 or still in high school) must present a birth certificate or government issued identification (driver license, state indentification card or passport) to receive the Lynx indentification.

To receive an AdvantAge ID (age 65 and over), eligible passengers must present a Medicare card, birth certificate or government issued identification card.

People with medical disabilities, regardless of their age, must go through a certification process to receive the AdvantAge ID card. Any AdvantAge ID cards issued prior to Feb. 7 will not be valid.

New power plant to begin testing phase

A power plant under construction at the Cane Island Power Park in Osceola County will undergo a short-term testing phase scheduled to begin Friday at the earliest.

The testing, power plant officials stated, would temporarily create more sound and steam than normal. The unit is wholly owned by the Florida Municipal Power Agency. It is being constructed by Zachry Industrial Incorporated and will be operated by Kissimmee Utility Authority.

The power plant is nearing the end of its construction and is transitioning to start-up activities, agency officials stated in a press release. As part of that process, the generating unit will blow high-pressure steam through its pipe system. In this testing mode, the steam will be vented from the pipe, which will create a loud noise, similar to a jet engine, and a plume of water vapor that might be noticeable to residents in Intercession City.

This testing phase is not representative of how the unit will normally operate, agency officials stated.

The testing phase is scheduled to begin Friday at the earliest, and the steam blows will intermittently last for about 10 days, if all goes as planned.

To minimize impact on local residents, the testing will be limited to between 7 a.m. and sunset. When testing is complete, the power plant will operate within all permits required by Osceola County, including sound restrictions, officials stated.

A natural woodland buffer that exists around the plant site helps minimize sound impacts. The generating unit being added to the existing plant site will not noticeably increase ambient sound levels in the area. It is expected that the generators when operating under normal conditions will not even be audible at residences nearest the plant.

Known as Cane Island Unit 4, this natural gas fueled power plant incorporates advanced environmental control technologies that will make it one of the lowest emission and highest efficiency plants in Florida, agency officials stated.

Road projects began Monday in St. Cloud

On Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation began road improvements on U.S. Highway 192 in the city of St. Cloud.

Work was started between Eastern Avenue and Nova Road and between east of Robinson Avenue/Kansas Avenue to Eastern Avenue.

The improvements, according to a department press release, will restore and repair sections of the highway, as well as improve safety. The work includes resurfacing, drainage improvements, curb and gutter, traffic signals and highway signs, as well as sidewalk and pavement markings.

Ranger Construction Industries and its subcontractors are performing the work. The project will last approximately 240 days, weather permitting. The total cost is more than $4.1 million.

Work crews on Monday began installing cones and barricades. Paving operations were set to start Sunday. Lane closures are restricted to non-peak hours.

The Florida Department of Transportation urges drivers to use caution in the work area and that they can expect delays, alternating traffic patterns and flagging operations.

Artifact display to be part of Spring Fling

The Mid Florida Archaeological Society has announced it will have a Native American artifact show on Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3, on the second floor of the Crabby Bills restaurant in St. Cloud.

The show will be part of Spring Fling event in St. Cloud sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Cloud. The show will be free for people who want to display.

“We want as much artifact material from Osceola County as possible and to give the participants plenty of time to prepare for the show,” Tyde Jones, spokesman for the society, stated in a press release.

For more information or to reserve a display space, call Jones at 407-791-6365 or contact him by e-mail at RazorSharpArrow@aol.com. Prospective participants should call as soon as possible.